THE BYRON SHIRE ECHO Advertising & news enquiries: Mullumbimby 02 6684 1777 Byron Bay 02 6685 5222 Fax 02 6684 1719 editor@echo.net.au adcopy@echo.net.au http://www.echo.net.au VOLUME 21 #31 TUESDAY, JANUARY 16, 2007 22,300 copies every week $1 at newsagents only
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P-plater restrictions ‘need some rethinking’: NRDSC The Northern Rivers Social Development Council (NRSDC) says it is pleased that the debate on road safety is being taken seriously by the NSW Minister for Roads Eric Roozendaal, who will introduce new restrictions on P-plate drivers, however NRSDC calls for the debate to be widened to discuss and offer viable, safe alternatives, such as better public transport options for everyone in rural and regional areas. ‘While the restrictions being introduced will have a significant impact on the mobility of younger people around the region, there is an acknowledgment that a blanket ban on drivers under 25 years of age having more than one passenger (under 21 years of age) between
the hours of 11pm and 5am would be unreasonable for some P-platers, particularly where there is no public transport alternative in rural areas,’ said NRSDC president Jenny Dowell. ‘Driving family members, travelling to work or community commitments such as SES or rural fire fighting and driving in an emergency are appropriate exemptions.’ ‘There are few transport options for young people on the north coast,’ said Tim Childs, NRSDC CEO. ‘Night-time initiatives such as the Lismore Latenighter, Byron Night Bus and the YOWI bus, go part way in providing targeted transport but we need more services with greater flexibility to meet the needs of young people for work,
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Woodchop fest a cut above
education and recreation. Importantly we must avoid a situation where novice drivers are forced into breaking the law in order to transport themselves and friends simply because there are no other viable alternatives. ‘As the government moves to toughen conditions for P-plate drivers, particularly at night, they also must guarantee that there will be suitable alternatives available, such as safe and reliable public transport services. This is the opportunity for the Ministers for Roads and Transport to work together to provide both safeguards and alternatives that allow young drivers to make better choices for their safety and the wellbeing of the community,’ he said.
PAN presents prizes for its peers
Judges for the PAN Art Prize on show at the Byron Bay Community Centre, from left, Steven Alderton, Director of Lismore Regional Gallery; Melitta Firth, Visual Arts Network Coordinator; and Ros Goodchild, Director of Mina Mina Gallery in Brunswick Heads, with one of the three highly commended artists, Suvira McDonald, second from left. MC Mandy Nolan congratulated PAN for running an exhibition organised by artists for other artists. ‘It is very important in retaining our creative culture in the Shire.’ Other highly commended artists were Michael Dow and Zom Osbourne, and first and second prize winners were Tricia Migdoll and Nescha Morden respectively. Photo Lou Beaumont
Mitch McKenzie of Dorrigo delivers the final blow in his standing block heat in Brunswick Heads on Saturday. Joy Slater of Brunswick Valley Woodchop said the entire four days were excellent. ‘We had more ladies competing in the woodchop this year with a New Zealand team coming over for the event, as well as a full Australian ladies team taking part. Every state in Australia was represented at this event also, and we had two men from the USA competing too. ‘All of the international visitors said they were keen to come back, they were really taken with the Brunswick hospitality and the friendships they began at the event.’ The men’s and ladies’ Champion of Champions are J Beckett from Paxton NSW (who defended his title) and New Zealander K Wynyard, respectively. Male points score winner was D Shipman, Glenreagh NSW, and women’s point score winner was another New Zealander, S Taylor. Australia won 3/0 in the International Test against New Zealand Ladies and New South Wales was victorious in the State of Origin Relay. See more results in Sports pages. Photo Lou Beaumont